System for the ignition of the gaseous mixtures in explosive-gas engines.



No. 892,038: PATENTED JUNE 30, 1908. P. A. PELDKAMP. SYSTEM FOR THE IGNITION OF THE GASBOUS MIXTURES IN EXPLOSIVB GAS ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 24. 1907.

2 SHEETS-$113151 1.

INVENTORZ FEB RH ATTORNEYS WWW OW Q & M3

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No. 892,038. PATENTED JUNE 30, 1908. P. A. PBLDKAMP.

SYSTEM FOR THE IGNITION OF THE GASEOUS MIXTURES IN EXPLOSIVE GAS ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 24, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTORI ATTORNEYS UNITED sTAtrps PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK A. FELDKAMP, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HENRY BERG, OF ORANGE VALLEY, NEW JERSEY.

SYSTEM FOR THE IGNITION OF THE GASEOUS MIXTURES IN EXPLOSIVE-GAS ENGINES.

T 0 all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, FREDERICK A. Furn- KAMP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and'useful Improvements in Systems for the Ignition of the Gaseous Mixtures in Explosive-Gas Engines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description 'of the invention such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

. My present invention has reference, gener ally, to a novel electrical system for the ignition of the gaseous-mixtures in ex losive gas-engines by means of an incant escent body, such as a fine wire which is secured betweenthe ends or oles of two electric conductors or electro es of an igniting device, similar tothe usual sparking device of a gasengine.

With my present invention the main urpose is to provide a novel system in wiiich the incandescence or glow of an incandescent body will be produced in an instantaneous and uniform or constant manner, substantially in the manner of an electric spark, the intermittent lighting-u and extinction of the incandescent body, y my present invention,-being readily regulable, so as to take effect in quick or slow succession, according to the speed at which the engine is running, but the time of each glow or incandescence alwaysbeing the same. In other words, instead of having an incandescent body brought to incandescence in the manner of the usual wire in an incandescent tube, an electric system has been produced in which the incandescent body or wire is made to glow for a very short time only, and is immediately extinguished, to be at once 're-lighted, according'to the rapidity with which the explosions offthe gaseous mixture in the engine are desired, but each incandescent state of the wire always being of the same duration. It must therefore be evident, that the' circuit must be closed by means of a timing device, which revolves, preferably upon the cam-shaft of the engine, the incandescent wire being very thin, so that it will flash up quickly, durin each time that contact is made. It will ifiSObG Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 24, 1907.

' the timing device is variable.

Patented June 30. 190

Serial No. 390,016.

evident, that with automobiles, where the speed changes continually, other considerations have to be taken into consideration and that certain existing conditions have to be fulfilled, in order that a positive and properly working incandescent ignition device Wlll be the result. With high speed, for instance, the time of contact is extremely short, and an electric current must be produced far in excess of the intensity of the current which would under ordinary conditions bring the wire to incandescence. Furthermore, an electric current which will perform its work satisfactorily at slow speed, will utterly fail to work at'high speed, this latter condition being due to the fact that the time of contact is entirely too short to allow the electric current to perform its work during the short intervals of time elapsing between the ra idly succeeding contacts. It will also be 0Vi( ent, that if the current were regulated for high speed,then at low speed the igniting wire would burn out at once, because the excessive current acting satisfactorily during the short intervals of time, at high speed, would naturally destroy the thin wire during the longer periods of incandescence, at slow speed.

The principal object of my present invention, therefore, is to provide a means or system in which the electric current will act uniformly, at all times upon the thin wire, so that the period of incandescence will not vary, even if the time of making contact at Thus, it is the province of my present invention to provide a novel electric system, in which the incandescence or glow of the igniting wire never varies, no matter whether the contact is continuous and uninterrupted, as for instance when the engine is at a stand-still at the time that the timin device is making contact, or whether only short impulses are sent through the circuit, .as is the case when running at high speed.

To overcome these objectionable features and to effect the result here-inabove stated, that is of the electric current at all times acting uniformly upon the thin igniting wire, I have constructed a secondary contact-making device, which is operated bythe contactmaking device operated from the cam-shaft of the engine.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, on which Figure 1 is a diagrammatical'view'of the trio-battery 9.

is a circuit-wire 10, which is attached to the igniting system, embodying the principles of the present invention, said view showing in connection therewith a sectional representation of a portion of the cylinder of an explosive gas-engine, and its igniting-plug which is represented in elevation. Fig. 2' is a sectional representation of a portion of the base ofthe apparatus and a spring-contact and bridge-piece arranged thereon.

Referring now to the said drawing, the reference-character 1 indicates a portion of the.

cylinder of an explosive gas-engine into which is screwed an ignition device 2, similar in construction to any one of the usual sparkplugs, provided with the usual electrodes 3 and 4, suitably insulated from each other in the usual manner, and projecting from the fixed end-portion of a spring-contact 11, the normal initial position of said spring-contact being to establish electrical contact with a metal fixture or bridge-piece 12, and said spring-contact being provided at its free end with a button 13, for depressing said springcontact from its normal position, to break its electrical connection with said fixture or bridge-piece 12, and cause it to make electrical contact with a contact-post or button 14, as will be clearly evident, and for the purposes to be hereinafter more fully described.

' Leading from said fixture or bridge-piece 12 is a circuit-wire 15 which is connected at its opposite'end with the hub or other suitable part of a contact-producing device or brush 16, the same being preferably secured upon the cam-shaft 17 of the engine, so as to rotate with the same, but being insulated therefrom by means of an insulating sleeve or ring 18. The said rotary brush is operatively connected with the circuit making and breaking device 19, also termed herein as a timing device, the same comprising an insulated member or element, as 20, which carries a metal contact-plate or block 21, with which the brush inakes'and breaks electrical contact, either slowly or rapidly according to the number of revolutions of the cam-shaft produced by the varying speeds of the engine.

. The said contact-plate or block 21 is usually provided with a binding screw, as to which is attached a circuit-wire 23, said wirebeing connected at its other end with the post 24 on which is pivotally mounted or fulcrumed a contact-bar or rod 25 for regulating the time of the current which passes through the igniting-circuit and the wire 5. Said bar or rod is provided with a short arm 26, with which is connected a spring 27, se-

cured at its opposite end to an adjusting screw 28. Said screw turns in a screwthreaded bearing 29, suitably secured upon and insulated from the usual base or board 30. The said bar or red 25 is also formed with a longer arm 31, which is provided with an adjustably arranged regulating and contact-establishing screw 32, and the free endportion of said arm 31 is movably arranged between the endportions of a pair of regulating screws 33 and 34, said screws being rotatably arranged in screw-threaded bearings 35 and 36, respectively, suitably secured upon and insulated from the base or board 30.

Under normal conditions,- the free endportion 37 of the screw 32, usually a platinum point, makes electrical contact with a contact-plate 38, also preferably of aluminum, which is suitably mounted upon the long arm 40 of another contact-rod or bar 39, said rod or bar being pivotally connected with or mounted upon a support or post 41. This rod or bar 39 is provided with a short arm 42 to which is connected, by means of a swivel 43,- or other suitable means, a spring 44, said spring being attached at its other end to an adjusting or regulating screw 45,

connected with the metal frame-plate or sup ort 46 suitably secured upon and insulated from the base or board 30. An electric-circuit is thus made through the arms of rod or bar 25, the screw 32,- the arms of the rod or 1 bar 39, and the spring 44, screw plate or support 46. A. main circuitwire 47 is attached at one end with said plate or support 46, said Wire being connected at its 0 posite .end with the member 48 of the s parl plug, through which, and by ,means of-the elements 3, '5 and 4, the main electric circuit is finally completed, through the engine and the screw 6, and wire 7 with the main circuitwire 8 and battery 9. I

In any suitable portion of the circuit-wire 47 there may be arranged a switch.49, with the parts 50 and 51 to which. the wire is connected, a switch-le er 52 being used to close the circuit, under normal conditions, between the parts 50 and 51.

Referring now again to the drawing, it will be seen, that'lhave attached to the post 24, a circuit-Wire 53, which is connected with a reactance-coil 54 into which extends a movand. the

able core 55, said core being provided with a screw-threaded shank 56, movably arranged in a bearing 57 ,.so as to be adjustable in and I out of said coil 54, as will be clearly evident. Leading from said coil 54 is a circuit-wire 58, terminating in this instance in two electromagnets 59, in each of which is a core 61;

and, leading from said electro-maguets is a circuit wire 60, which completes the circuit finally through the wire 8, battery 9, wire 10, the spring-contact 11, wire 15, the circuit making and breaking device 19, and wire 23 with the post 24, as will be clearly evident.

Having thus described the ignition circuit, as well as the magnet-circuit, it will be clearly seen from an inspection of the drawing, when the switch-lever 52 is making contact directly with the button 51, that the current as it passes through the magnet-circuit energizes the electro-inagnets, whereby the cores of said magnets immediately attract the armature formed by the arm 40 of the rod or bar 39, and whereby the main ignition-circuit is broken or interru ted by the separation of the contacts 37 an 38, the

parts being so regulated that the device will operate most perfectly at high speed. The

- ignition and magnet-circuits are connected in parallel, and the resistance of the electro magnets is such that they will attract the armature at high s eed, while the igniting wire 5 will be broug t to incandescence during this short interval of time. To find the point at which both circuits work well, the previously mentioned reactance coil, which 1s placed in the magnet-circuit, is provided with the movable core for regulating purposes. Upon screwing this core further lnto this coil, electric current in the magnet circuit is decreased, while the current is increased in the igniting circuit. There may be also arranged in the igniting circuit, any suitable-regulating device, either a variable resistanceor a reactance coil, but generally this is unnecessary, and these devices being well known they are not shown in the accompanying drawings. In place of the high resistance-windings upon the magnets, a compound winding may be employed, where the eavy wire is connected in the ignition circuit. In that case the armature is attracted to .a great extent by the current in the ignition circuit, while the current in the fine wire not only attracts the armature, but holds it attracted, as long as the contact lasts at. the timer between the elements 16 and 21.

Attention is called to the fact that the armature and contacts can be regulated in ent screws 28, 32, 33 and 34. The purpose of such regulation is tov allow the current to bring the wire 5 into proper and perfect incandescence, the armature-arm 40 making elect-ric-wntact with the point '37, during the time thatth e arm-31 travels the distance between theends of the two oppositely located screws33 and 34,- after which the arm 40 is alllowed to travel the distance between the point 37 and the ends of the magnetic cores 61, whereupon the ignition circuit becomes broken. By this means a very close regulation can be effected in the o erating device, especially in conjunction wit 1 the reactance coil, as will be clearly understood. WVhen in this manner once regulated, the device will respond with perfect action, and no further regulation is needed. The reactance coil may be regulated, at times, by means of the adjustable core 55, when varia tions of the voltage of the battery may make such regulation necessary.

The operation briefly is as follows z-VVhen contact is made by the timer upon the camshaft, the electric current passes partly through the magnet circuit and )artly through the ignition circuit. Immediately the incandescent wire 5 begins to glow, but at the same moment, before this incandescent state grows to a dangerous degree, the magnethas attracted the armature,

of the regulating devices, and the ignition circuit is interrupted.

It will be evident, that it will make no difference, whether the timer-contact is of long of speed of the engine and cam-shaft, since this action affects merel the time during wvhich the armature is he d attracted by the poleieces of the electro-magnets, it bein cleary evident, that the time of electrical contact in the ignition circuit is always the same, owing to the regulable distance between the ends of the screws 33 and 34,. no matter whether the timer makes contact of a long or short duration, and this is even so at such time when the brush. 16 is stopped directly in its engagement with the contact 21, except that under this last condition the current will be consumed in the magnet- -circuit, which at any rate is very small.

It is a self-evident fact, that the material of the igniting wire 5 must have a very high melting point, much higher than the ignition-point of the gases which are to be exploded; that it must not oxidize at high cally to withstand any strain, and must, furthermore, not be brittle. The wire, also, must be very thin, that it will heat up very quickly in the shortest time. All of these conditions can be readily satisfied, since such material which will answer all these conditions is known. I From' the foregoing description of my present invention it will be seen, that I have devised a novel and simple system for the purposes stated because there is no necessity of high tension coils, nor high tension currents; and furthermore, neither heavy insulation, spark coil, nor movable contacts inside of the cylinder are required.

The usual spark-plug troubles are also or short duration, corresponding to the rates temperatures, and must be able mechani owing to the construction and arrangement If desired, the switch-block 49 may be provided with another contact or button 62,'

' upon which the switch-lever 52 can be turned so as to throw the wire 47 in circuit with the wire 60, by means of a circuit wire 63 in which is disposed an incandescent testwire 64 of the same degree of incandescence as the igniting wire 5 within the cylinder of the engine, said test-wire 64- being inclosed in a glass bulb 65 of the usual incandescent lamp-'cdnstruction. By pressing the free end-port on of the spring-contact 11, previously mentloned, upon the contact14, a cirdescence of cuit is established by means of a wire 66, which is connected with said contact 14 and with the circuit-wire 23, botlrthedgniting device and its wire 5, as Well as the timing device 19 being cut out of circuit, as long as said spring-contact 11 is pressed down, as will be clearly evident.

I claim:

1. In an igniting system for explosive gas- 'engines, the combination with a portion of the cylinder of the engine, and an igniting device connected therewith, of an, incandescent body carried by said device, an electric ignition circuit in which said igniting device and incandescent body are disposed, a circuitcompleting and breaking device insaid circuit, comprising a rotary means which is subject to variable speeds, instrumentalities in said electric circuit for producing-the incansaid incandescent body, and a magnet-circuit in parallel with said ignition circuit, provided with electro-magnets and a re-actance coil in said circuit, all arranged to extinguish said incandescent body after a constant time interval irrespective of the varying speeds of the rotary contacting me ans of said circuit-completing and breaking device, s'ubstantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In an igniting system for explosive gasengines, the combination with a portion of the cylinder of the engine, and an igniting device connected therewith, of an incandescent.

body carried by said device, an electric ignition circuit in which said igniting device and incandescent body are disposed, a circuitcompleting and breaking device in said circuit, comprising a rotary means which is subject to variable speeds, instrumentalities in said electric circuit for producing the incandescence of said incandescent body, and a magnet-circuit in parallel with said ignition circuit,.provided with electro-magnets and a reactance coil in said circuit, all arranged to extinguish said incandescent body after a constant time interval irrespective of the varying speeds of the rotary contacting eeaoss means of said circuit-completing and breaking device, and adjustable regulating devices for varying the time of incandescence of said incandescent body, substantially as. and for the purposes set forth.

3. In an igniting system for explosive gasengines, the combination with a portion of the cylinder of the engine, and an igniting device connected therewith, of an incandescent body carried by said device, an electric ignition circuit in which said igniting device and incandescent body are disposed, a circuit completing and breaking device in said cir cuit, comprising a rotary means which is subject to variable speeds, a metal frame-plate in said circuit, electro-magnets mounted upon said frame plate, said circuit, adapted to be attracted by said electro-magnets, and means also in' said circuit, arranged to maintain a complete elec tric circuit with said armature during a portion of its movement, but breaking said electric circuit during the remainder of the movement of said armature, all arranged to produce the incandescence of said incandescent body, and at a predetermined time extinguish the same irrespective of the varying speeds of the rotary contacting means of said circuit-completing and breaking device, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In an igniting system for explosive gasengines, the combination with a portion of an oscillating armature in the cylinder of the engine, and an igniting device connected therewith, of an incandescent body carried by said device, an electric ignition circuit in which said igniting device and incandescent body are disposed, a circuit-completing and breaking device in said circuit, comprising a rotary means which is subject to variable speeds, a metal frameplate in said circuit, electro-magnets mount ed upon said frame plate, anoscillating armature in said circuit, adapted to be at tracted by said electro-magnets, means also in said circuit, arranged to maintain a'com- P lete electric circuit with said armature durmg a portion of its movement, but breaking said electric circuit during the remainder of the movement of said armature, all arranged to produce the incandescence of said incandescent body, a magnet circuit in parallel with said ignition circuit,in which said electro-magnets are arranged, and a reactance coil in said circuit, all arranged to extinguish said incandescent body after a constant time interval irrespective of the varying speeds of the rotary contacting means of said circuit-completing and breaking device, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In an igniting system for explosive gas engines, the combination with a portion of the cylinder of the engine, and an igniting device connected therewith, of an incandescent body carried by said device, an electric ignition circuit in which said igniting device by said electro-magnets, means also in said circuit, arranged to maintain a complete electric circuit with said armature during a portion of its movement, but breaking said electric circuit during the remainder of the movement of said armature, all arranged to produce the incandescence of said incandescent body, and at a predetermined time extinguishthe same irrespective of the varying speeds of the rotary contacting means of said circuit-completing and breaking device,'and adjustable regulating devices for varying the time of incandescence of said incandescent body, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In an igniting system for explosive gasengines, the combination with a portion of the cylinder of the engine, and an igniting device connected therewith, of an incandescent body carried by said device, an electric ignition circuit in which said igniting ed upon said frame plate, an osc device and incandescent body are disposed, a circuit-completing and breaking device in said circuit, comprising a rotary means which is subject to variable speeds, a metal frameplate in said circuit, electro-magnets mounted upon said frame plate, an oscillating armature in said circuit, adapted to be attracted by said electro-magnets, means also in said circuit, arranged to maintain a complete electric circuit with said armature during a portion of its movements, but breaking said electric circuit during the remainder of the movement of said armature, all arranged to produce the incandescence of said incandescentbody,amagnetcircuit in-parallel-with said ignition circuit, in ,which said electromagnets arearranged, a re-actance coil in said circuit, all arranged to extinguish said incandescent body after a'constant time interval irrespective of the varying speeds of the rotary contacting means of said circuit-completing and breaking device, and adjustable regulating devices for varying the time of incandescence of said incandescent body, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. 7. In an igniting system for'e'xplosive gasengines, the combination with a -portion of the cylinder of the engine, and an igniting device connected therewith, of an incandescent body carried by said device, an electric ignition circuit in which said ignitin device and incandescent body are disposed, a C11- cu1t-completmg andb'reaking device in said circuit, comprisinga rotary means which is subject to varia e speeds, a metal frameplate in sald circuit, elbct'ro-ma nets mountfilatlng' armasaid circuit-completing and brea ing device,

substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

S. In an igniting system. for explosive gas engines, the combination with a portion of the cylinder of the engine, and an igniting device connected therewith, of an incandescent body carried by said device, an electric ignition circuit in which said igniting device and incandescent body are disposed, a circuit-completing and breaking devicein said circuit, comprisin a rotary means which is subject to variab e speeds, a metal frameplate in said circuit, e ectro-ma nets mounted upon said frame plate, an osci lating armature in said circuit, adapted to be attracted by said clectro-ma nets, an oscillating con-- tact-bar also in sai circuit, said contact-bar being arranged to maintain a complete electric circuit with said armature during a portion of its movement, but breaking said elec tric circuit during the remainder of the movement of said armature, all arranged to produce the ineandescenee of said incandescent body, a magnet-circuit in parallel with said oscillating contact-bar and said ignition-circuit, in which said electro-magnets are arranged, and a re-actance coil in .said circuit, all arranged to extinguish said incandescent body after a constant time interval irrespective of the varying s eeds of the rotary contacting means of sai circuit-completing and breaking device, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9'. In an igniting system for explosive gasengines, the combination with a portion of the cylinder of the engine, and an igniting device connected therewith, of an incandescent body carried by said device, an electric ignition circuit in which said igniting device" and incandescent body are disposed, a circuit-completing and breaking device in said circuit, comprisim a rotary means which is subject to variab a metal frame-plate in said circuit, e ectromagnets mounted upon said frame plate, an oscillating armature in said circuit, adapted to be attracted by said electro-ma nets, an oscillating'contact bar also insai circuit, said contact-bar being arran ed to maintain a complete electric circuit witsaid armature during a portion of its movement, but breaking said electric circuit during the remainder 1c .s eeds,

of the movement of said armature, all arranged ,to produce the incandescence of said incandescent'body, and at a predetermined time extinguish the same, irrespective of the varying speeds of the rotary contactingmeans of said circuit-completing and breaking device, and adjustable regulating devices for varying the time of incandescence of said incandescent body, substantially as and for, the purposes set forth.

10. In an igniting system for explosive gasengines, the combination with a portion of the cylinder of the engine, and an igniting de- Vice connected therewith, of an incandescent body carried by said device, an electric ignition circuit in which said igniting device and incandescent body are disposed, a circuitcompleting and breaking device in said circuit, comprising a rotary means which is subject to variable speeds, a metal fran1eplate in said circuit, eleotro-magnets mounted upon said frame plate, an oscillating armaturein said-circuit, adapted to be attracted by said electro-magnets, an oscillating contact-bar also in said circuit, said contact-bar being arranged to maintain a complete electric circuit with said armature during a portion of its movement, but breaking said electric circuitduring the remainder of the movement of said armature, all arranged to produce the incandescence of said incandescent body, and at a predetermined time extinguish the same, irrespective of the varying speeds ofthe rotary contacting means of said circuit-comleting and breaking device, adjustable reguating devices for varying the time of incandescence'of said incandescent body, consisting of a contact-screw mounted upon said contact-bar, a pair of oppositely arranged adjustin screws etween which an end portion of sai contact-bar is movably arranged, and springs adjustably connected with said con tact-bar and said armature for returning said bar and armature to their normal initial positions, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. 4 i

1 1. In an igniting system for explosive gas engines, the combination with a portion of the cylinder of the engine, and an igniting device connected therewith, of an incandescent body carried by said device, an electric ignition circuit in which said ignitin device and incandescent body are dispose a circuitcompleting and breaking device in said circuit, comprising a rotary means which is subject to variable speeds, a metal frame-plate in said circuit, 'electro-magnets mounted upon said frame plate, an oscillating armature in said circuit adapted to be attracted by said electroma ets,,;an oscillating contact bar also in sai cire'nit s'ai'd contactebar being arranged to maintain a complete electric circuit with said armature during a portion of its movement, but breaking said electric circuit during the remainder of the movement of said armature, all arranged to produce the incandescence of said incandescent body, a

magnetcircuit in parallel with said oscillating contact-bar-ahd said ignition-circuit, in which said electro-magnets are arranged, a re-actance coil in said circuit, all arran ed to extinguish said incandescent body a ter a constant time interval irrespective of the varying speeds of the rotary contacting means of said circuit-completing and breaking device, and adjustable regulating devices for varyingthe time of incandescence of said incandescent body, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

12. In an igniting system for explosive gasengines, the combination with a portion of the cylinder of theengine', and an igniting device connected therewith, of an incandescent body carried by said device, an electric ignition circuit in which said igniting device and incandescent body are disposed, a circuitcompleting and breaking device in said circuit, comprising a rotary means which is subject to variable speeds, a metal frame-plate in said circuit, electro-magnets mounted upon said irame plate, an oscillating armature in said circuit adapted to be attracted by said elec'tro-magnets, an oscillating contact-bar also in said circuit, said contact-bar being ar--' ranged to maintain a complete electric circuit with said armature during a ortion'of its movement, but breaking said e ectric circuit during the remainder of the movement of said'armature, all arranged to produce the incandescence of said incandescent body, and at a predetermined time extinguishing the same, irrespective of the varying s eeds of the rotary contacting means of sai circuitregu ating devices for varying the time of incandescence of said incandescent body, consisting of a contact-screw mounted upon said contact-bar, a pair of oppositely arranged adjustin screws between which the end-portion 0 said contact-bar is movablyarranged, and springs adjustably connected with said contact-bar and saidarmature for returning completing and breaking device, adjustable said bar and armature to their normal initial positions substantially as and for thepur poses set forth.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 17th day'of August 1907.

FREDERICK A. FELDKAMP. Witnesses:

FREDK O. FRAENTZEL,

ANNA H. ALTER. 

